Boat Security Gate and Barrier System

Abstract

A security barrier system for controlling boat access to a protected area includes a barrier having an opening through it for boat passage. The barrier may be a fixed structure such as an earthen berm, or may be a floating barrier. A pair of spaced-apart support members, fixed in the waterbottom, are on either side of the opening. A gate is connected to one of the support members and spans the opening. A remotely operable latch means locks the gate closed, preventing passage. In one embodiment, a boat remotely unlocks the gate and pushes the gate open, then flex members return the gate to a closed and locked position. In another embodiment, particularly for locations with significant water level changes, the gate moves vertically on floats in response to water level, and a remotely operable system both unlocks/locks the gate and moves it between closed and open positions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for controlling boat passage through an opening in a barrier, said barrier disposed in a waterbody with an underlying waterbottom, comprising:
 first and second supports at either side of said opening, said supports fixed in said waterbottom;   a gate hingedly attached to said first support and substantially spanning a distance between said supports, said gate disposed proximal a surface of said waterbody and movable between a first closed position wherein said gate blocks boat passage through said opening, and a second open position wherein a boat can travel through said opening;   one or more resilient flex members attached to said gate and biasing said gate toward said first closed position;   a latch means locking said gate in said first closed position, said latch means remotely operable from a boat,   whereby a boat approaching said gate can unlatch said latch means and push said gate open to pass through said opening, and wherein said flex members return said gate to said first closed position and said latch means lock said gate in that position, after passage of said boat.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said latch means comprises a sliding latch member. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said flex members are formed from elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said barrier comprises floating barrier members. 
     
     
         5 . A method of controlled boat access to a protected area of a waterbody, said waterbody having a waterbottom underlying same, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a barrier to boat passage to said protected area, said barrier comprising an opening therein of sufficient size for boat passage therethrough;   b) providing a gate system controlling boat passage through said opening, said gate system comprising:
 first and second supports at either side of said opening, said supports fixed in said waterbottom; 
 a gate hingedly attached to said first support and substantially spanning a distance between said supports, said gate disposed proximal a surface of said waterbody and movable between a first closed position wherein said gate blocks boat passage through said opening, and a second open position wherein a boat can travel through said opening; 
 one or more resilient flex members attached to said gate and biasing said gate toward said first closed position; 
 a latch means locking said gate in said first closed position, said latch means remotely operable from a boat, 
   c) from a boat approaching said gate, unlatching said latch means; and   d) pushing said gate open with said boat, enabling passage through said opening, wherein said flex members return said gate to said first closed position and said latch means lock said gate in that position, after passage of said boat through said opening.   
     
     
         6 . A system for controlling boat passage through an opening in a barrier, said system disposed in a waterbody with an underlying waterbottom, comprising:
 first and second supports at either side of said opening, said supports fixed in said waterbottom;   a gate hingedly attached to said first support and substantially spanning a distance between said supports, said gate comprising one or more floats which position said gate proximal a surface of said waterbody, said gate vertically movable in response to variations in the level of said surface, said gate and movable between a first closed position wherein said gate blocks boat passage through said opening, and a second open position wherein a boat can travel through said opening;   a means for locking said gate in said first closed position, said means for locking said gate being remotely operable from a boat;   a means for moving said gate from said first closed position to said second open position, said means for moving said gate being remotely operable from a boat.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said barrier comprises a plurality of floating barrier sections, said floating barrier sections movable in response to water level, said floating barrier sections attached to said first and second supports. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said or or more floats comprise a cylindrical float disposed around said first support and movable vertically up and down said first support, said gate attached to said cylindrical float. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said floating barrier sections are attached to said first and second supports by cylindrical members disposed around said supports. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said means for locking said gate in said first closed position comprises a lock post attached to said second support, and a latch disposed on said gate, said latch engaging said lock post. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said latch comprises a sliding member. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said latch comprises a rotating arm. 
     
     
         13 . A method of controlled boat access to a protected area of a waterbody, said waterbody having a waterbottom underlying same, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a barrier to boat passage to said protected area, said barrier comprising an opening therein of sufficient size for boat passage therethrough;   b) providing a gate system controlling boat passage through said opening, said gate system comprising:
 a gate hingedly attached to said first support and substantially spanning a distance between said supports, said gate comprising one or more floats which position said gate proximal a surface of said waterbody, said gate vertically movable in response to variations in the level of said surface, said gate and movable between a first closed position wherein said gate blocks boat passage through said opening, and a second open position wherein a boat can travel through said opening; 
 a means for locking said gate in said first closed position, said means for locking said gate being remotely operable from a boat; 
 a means for moving said gate from said first closed position to said second open position, said means for moving said gate being remotely operable from a boat; 
   c) unlocking said means for locking said gate;   d) moving said gate to said second open position;   e) moving said boat through said opening;   f) after said boat has cleared said opening, moving said gate to said first closed position, and locking said gate in that position.